Worth It 10 Times Over $30.42…read more Grandfather Mountain was the highlight of my trip to the North Carolina mountains and worth every penny. The experience starts the moment you arrive. The staff is organized, friendly, and efficient. They provide a map and a self-guided audio tour that plugs right into your car, making it easy to learn about the mountain as you drive from stop to stop. My advice: arrive before 11 a.m. and check Blue Ridge Parkway closures before you leave. There are still detours and road closures that can add significant time to your drive, and you don't want to miss your entry time. I headed straight to the top for the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The weather was classic mountain weather--cool temperatures in the 50s and 60s with fog drifting across the peaks. Even with the clouds rolling through, the views were absolutely stunning. If stairs are a concern, there's an elevator that takes visitors up to the bridge level. Afterward, I worked my way down the mountain, stopping at Split Rock before exploring the Wildlife Habitats. This area exceeded my expectations. I saw black bears, elk, a cougar, bald eagles, river otters, and plenty of butterflies. The botanical gardens were beautiful and everything was clearly marked and easy to navigate. The entire property is exceptionally well maintained. Clean restrooms at both the summit and wildlife center were an added bonus. I arrived around 10:30 a.m. and left shortly after noon, which gave me plenty of time to see everything at a comfortable pace. You could easily spend longer if you enjoy hiking or lingering at the exhibits. As someone escaping the summer heat in Charlotte, the cool mountain air alone was worth the drive. If you're visiting western North Carolina, put Grandfather Mountain on your bucket list. The scenery, wildlife, organization, and educational experience make it one of the best attractions in the region. There's a big world out there to explore. This is one place that's absolutely worth the trip.

Nice park and mountain, but $37 PER PERSON? With NO…read moresignage/pricing posted anywhere ... yikes I could understand for something like Yosemite or Yellowstone, but just a state park ...tough pill to swallow especially when it's not posted anywhere. I was planning to hike with some friends and we were going to start at one of the other lots but the roads were closed leaving us no choice but to enter the park. I really just wish the pricing/fees were posted somewhere-anywhere- because they weren't online or on the park signs out front. Had to pull up to the gate/window and even then the park ranger seemed to want to withhold that information as long as possible. The actual park is beautiful and well maintained- and you do get an audio guide plus map upon entry. But the lack of transparency here is a hard no for me. @azfitfoodfun

Not Too Bad Of A Hike. Very Rewarding Views At The End! Slippery When Wet. Wear The Proper Shoes!read more

You can't pay for views like this, and good news is... you don't have to!…read more Rough Ridge Overlook is a local *and* tourist hot spot for some of the best views in the state! I went there with some GFs for nature and the views, and it didn't dissapoint. Definiteluy put this spot on your map when planning a trip to Grandfather Mountain.

It's not a huge hiking trail (maybe a mile total) but the terrain is very hills and technical. We…read morewent when the ground was a little snowy/icy, so I would recommend hiking boots for the excursion. The views and scenery are fabulous. There are waterfalls and streams and tons of rocks to climb for fun photos. My only wish was to have a picnic area near the parking area so that we could enjoy a picnic and then a family walk together.

Some friends and I met in Boone and were looking for a nearby trail that was not too long (before…read moreThanksgiving food). Otter Falls was a good fit. It wasn't too crazy with bunches of rocks or too "woodsy," but there is a good sized hill when you get close to the waterfall. There's a platform that you can take a few steps down onto for photos along with some other spots you can Instagram from. Given COVID, I recommend waiting for groups to come up the steps before going down. Note: There are not a ton of parking spaces at the trail head (maybe 15), so be prepared to possibly park along the road.

Don't let the name fool you. It's not really a swinging bridge - but it does creak. And those…read moresounds are a bit alarming as you're hiking up Grandfather Mountain. Admission to the mountain is $25/person. And it's highly recommended you pre-pay online, especially during tourist season when spots fill up. To get to Mile High Swinging Bridge, you pay the admission and can park in the various areas. The top of the mountain does have a parking lot, a gift shop, and restrooms; but the top parking lot fills up. So we parked farther down and did the 20-30 minute hike up. Take a lot of pics during your nervous walk across the bridge. Great views as you're 5,280 feet above sea level. Also, do not wear flip flops! I see a lot of people, even little kids, running around the top of the mountain with flip flops. What in the world?!

So totally worth it. The town is wonderful. We enjoyed just the approach to the mountain…read more Grandfather Mountain is very cool with a legendary history. The swinging bridge was just another jewel in their crown of glory. I totally recommend it for young and Old the Vista points are stupendous. And there's a really wonderful video to watch and a nature center, and even some animals to catch up with.

This is a beautiful lake in a beautiful park. The lake is suitable for trout fishing and has…read moreseveral docks. There are covered picnic areas. A small sandy beach is near the parking area.

IF this is the same Wildcat Lake in Banner Elk near Lees McCrae College and Grandfather Mountain…read morehome, it's not permanently closed. I went there multiple times this summer (2019). It does close today, Labor Day 2019, for the Winter months (the water will be way too cold for swimming, so no use to pay lifeguards) but reopens every summer.

We did the portion of this trail that goes to Rough Ridge Overlook. This hike is very crowded, but…read morethe views are definitely worth it. I recommend waking up early and getting there for sunrise. We got there around 7:45am and the parking lot was already full. We were able to park on the side of the road though. It got way more crowded later in the day. It's only about a 2.5 mile hike round trip from the parking area. We tried to hike further on the trail, but ended up taking a wrong turn that brought us back to where we started. It was recommended to start at Linn Cove Visitor Center and hike the back way there for less crowds. We wanted to do this, but the parking lot was closed so we couldn't. This is a great hike in the fall for gorgeous fall colors. It's hard to beat the views.

My sister and I were researching a new hike in the area that would be easy to medium difficulty and…read morehad a nice view. We wanted something under 3 miles round-trip due to the coming thunderstorms. This trail was easy to spot off the road with a very nice visitors center with lots of fun items and some cute dogs to pet but that's where to good stuff ends. The trailhead marker behind the center took us the wrong direction on the trail that we wanted to head. There was not sufficient signage to indicate which way it was leading. After hiking over 1 mile we realized our mistake and turned back. There was some interesting things to see but not enough for me to ever return. The rain was holding off so we took the trail the correct way which is located on the opposite end of the parking lot from the visitor center. While this part of the trail was more interesting the view point under the bridge was very underwhelming and we would not do it again.

The waterfalls are beautiful. This is a park and walk up experience. Very private no one was there…read morewhen we went. It is so peaceful just sitting by the waterfall. A great place to sit journal or read a book.

I almost passed this spot entirely, and missing it would have been a real loss. Tucked across from…read morethe Ingles Market, a modest parking area and an understated sign conceal a striking series of cascading waterfalls. The path leading up the slope was carved out by volunteer firefighters, and while it is steep in places, it offers a rewarding climb with views that unfold as you ascend. It's medium difficulty. The park features a few picnic tables scattered near the base, inviting visitors to linger and enjoy the sound of rushing water. The falls themselves are double-tiered, flowing over rugged stone, and a natural rock bridge allows you to cross to the other side with reasonable footing. I had the place entirely to myself today, and despite the questionable wisdom of climbing solo, I made it up and back without incident. The experience was peaceful and memorable, and I left with a handful of beautiful photos and a sense of quiet satisfaction. Locally, the site is also known as Bobby McLean Memorial Park, named in tribute to a respected community figure whose legacy lives on in this serene corner of Newland. [Review 1222 of 2025 - 4407 in North Carolina - 24774 overall]

I have been going to this place since the mid 1980's as a young boy and we've brought the kids here…read moreseveral times over the past few years. They have both a Gem mine and the trout fishing and in the old days had a mini golf course but that is long gone now. The main guy who operates it, Heath, is super nice and helpful. He got us setup and helped my kids learn to cast the poles and get the hook out once the fish were caught. They charge by the pound and the trout are pretty big so plan a big meal ahead. There's a little extra for cleaning the fish but that's worth it. If you are looking for a fun kid activity this is also a kid friendly place as long as they can hold the pole and reel with your help. The poles, bait, and buckets are supplied so you don't have to bring anything with you. They'll pack it in ice for you also when you leave so you'll be able to keep your fresh catch cold. ----TL;DR----- PROS: plenty of parking, friendly folks, usually it's pretty easy to catch a fish, family run, family oriented and kids will likely enjoy it CONS: none, it's lots of fun BOTTOM LINE: if you like fishing and want to spend a fun few hours, check them out. We've been many times and still love to go back!

They supply everything. Three ponds. The man who works there was very friendly and informative…read more Very nice guy. You don't pay if you don't catch. They even have collapsible chairs. Clean spot. Great time!

This is an adorable little park with picnic benches, streams and waterfalls. It's alternate name…read more(donated by Firefighters) is Waterfalls Park. There is an upward hike to see all three falls up close but it is also fairly accessible for people who aren't able to hike upwards. It is a beautiful break from the bustle around and quite the little surprise.

We had a fabulous time with Jesse caving. The cave itself was pretty diverse. Most of it had a high…read moreceiling so it never felt claustophobic. There is lots of water, so wear clothes and shoes that you may never get clean again - fair warning. If you have mobility issues, I'd avoid this one. Otherwise, go and enjoy. You will absolutely love it. The cave is pretty amazing.

After drying off and getting into dry clothes they play a prank on you and spray you with water. So…read morenow I have to sit in wet clothes for an hour ride back to the base. Like, do that when I'm still soaking wet but let me get dry and be dry.